Some of the kerosene had been already poured on the brush.

Everything was ready to light, and only my coming out an hour earlier had frightened the devils away.

The idea was to set the place on fire, suffocate us in the smoke of the kerosene poured into the hole, and then to rush in and grab the treasure.

It was a systematic plan!" "No!" said Demorest quietly.
"No ?" repeated Stacy.

"I told you I saw the whole thing and took away the kerosene, which I hid, and after you had gone used it to fire the cabin with, to see if the ones I suspected would gather to watch their work." "It was no part of their FIRST plan"' said Demorest, "which was only robbery.